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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Still can’t find Cheerwine?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you’ve been to a family reunion or Wednesday night fellowship supper in North Carolina, you’ve had a Cheerwine cupcake like one of these, served at the July 17 Cheerwine launch party.
Are you still having trouble finding Cheerwine?
As reported last month, the cherry-flavored soft drink from North Carolina has made an official launch into the metro Atlanta market, but anecdotal reports suggest it might still be difficult to find.
The possible reason? People are grabbing every case they can, fearful that its placement on store shelves must be a fluke.
“People are buying out the stock,” said Wayne Parks of Southeast Atlanta Beverage, the bottler that’s distributing the Salisbury, N.C. soft drink. He said he’d seen a woman start to clean out an entire shelf at a north metro Wal-Mart, until he assured her there was plenty and more coming.
Alan Flynt, left, Cheerwine President Cliff Ritchie and Bonnie Grey Flynt clown around poolside during the Atlanta launch party for the iconic North Carolina beverage. The Flynts, originally of Lexington, N.C., say they are glad they’ll no longer have to horde their favorite drink after trips home.
Although Cheerwine’s been available here and there over the years in metro Atlanta, the recent roll-out is the company’s most concerted effort. It should be available in area Kroger, Publix, Wal-Mart and Ingles stores, and plans to start stocking single bottles in convenience stores as well.
A Tar Heel-heavy crowd of fans flocked to the downtown Sheraton last week to cheer Cheerwine’s arrival in metro Atlanta. Guests enjoyed a spread from Dusty’s, which has stocked CW and serves its barbecue North Carolina style, with vinegar-based sauce.
Alan Flynt and sister Bonnie Grey Flynt, originally of Lexington, N.C., said they have been loading up every time they’d go home for a visit.
“I horde it, then I ration it out,” Bonnie said.
Brothers Patrick and Derrick Medley, originally of High Point, N.C., enjoyed the party with pals Jamie Wilks of Winston-Salem, Derrick Weaver of Durham and Brian Payne of Thomasville.
“Cheerwine reminds me of home,” Derrick Medley said.
Cheerwine President Cliff Ritchie greeted guest including Liane Pierce of Cary, Weston Drake of Durham, and Brandon Holland, who like the Butterfly hails from Rocky Mount, in eastern North Carolina.
Many of the guests at Cheerwine’s Atlanta launch party were native Tar Heels eager to welcome their state’s famous drink to Atlanta. Shown here front row, from left, Derrick Medley, Derrick Weaver and Patrick Medley. Back row, from left, Brian Payne and Jamie Wilks.
Sharon Burt and husband Barry aren’t native Carolinians but went to UNC and took a shine to Cheerwine during their time in Chapel Hill.
“Whenever we visit we would bring back cases,” Barry said.
“No more stocking,” Sharon said.
They still have four cases left from their most recent replenishment - just in case.
The Cheerwine party featured eats from Dusty’s, which serves its barbecue Cackalacky style: with vinegar-based sauce.
